WADE HOLMES to begin comes from the East coast and was managed by Ben Adelman from Wahington, D.C. He is particular having records released only on (leased masters) Four Star, and budget Spin-O-Rama, Mount Vernon Music and Crown labels LPs, before during the Sixties on several issues on Adelman’s other labels : Sutton and Empire. I’ve chosen first his great rendition of Carl Smith‘s « Go boy go » from 1954 on Blue Ribbon 35-49. It’s pure Hillbilly rock, near Rockabilly. Second we have, from February 1954, the fast honky-tonker « You’re too tired (for me) » (4 * 1656), when Holmes had his own show on WPGC (Washington?). Finally here he comes once more with the superior (a great , great crisp lead guitar) « I’ll just pretend » from 1960 on the Almanac label (# 809), also backed by a fine fiddle (solo), and billed as « The singing truck driver ». No evidence at all he’s had converted himself as such with more truckers’ songs.

From Kansas City , 1950 or 1951 on the copious Red Barn label (# RH 1166)(see Allan Turner’s Hillbilly Researcher‘s blogsite for more info on this label), BOBBY COOK & BUDDY NELSON, « The Texas Saddle Pals » have a brisk duet, with fine fiddle, a guitar solo and even a mandolin in « Big daddy blues ». A very lively track.

From West coast in California in 1954/55, a well-known band leader on the Salinas area (radio stations KDON and KSBW), BASHFUL BOBBY WOOTEN on the Four Star (special serie) P 102, with one high-voiced MARTHA LOU GACHES for « Peeping Tom ». Gaches had also one issue on Pep (Bakersfield) and was at one time associated as vocalist with Big Jim DeNoone.Wooten had also one famous rocker « Goin’ deer huntin’ » in 1960 on the G.R.C. label and had two other issues on this 4* P serie.

From Santa Claus, Indiana, in 1965 or 66, a great country rocker « Snuffy Smith » by JOHNNY ACTON on the Kasko label (# 1644). It has a weird steel solo (too short), good guitar and indeed drums. Acton was also, with the Acton Sisters, on his own (?) label in 1968 (# 703), for a solitary issue (« Just between you and I », a country record), from Indianapolis.